Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

[SierraMark]

Hello all,

I have been reading these forums and am in awe of some of the great work that I have seen. I hope when I do my restoration it comes out half as good as some of these that I have seen here.

As you can see in my profile and signature I have a 16' 1991 Starcraft Fishmaster that I bought early this spring. I knew when I bought it that I would be doing at least a re-decking and changing out the carpeting on the sides and tops of the gunwales. I will be hopefully doing this over the winter or maybe late fall after the boating season. Right now I am gathering information and making my plan.

I have decided on using Nautolex on the deck and quite possibly everywhere. If I used it everywhere I would probably use 2 different colors, one on the deck and another elsewhere.

I know that my deck will probably 4 seperate pieces of plywood (not getting into the type of wood or the epoxy debate here) meaning that I will have 3 seams.

I have seen 2 different ways to install the Nautolex:

Option 1 is to install the Nautolex on each piece of deck. This allows for the Nautolex to be wrapped around the edges and stapled on the back. This also means that the seams would be visible seems when the decking is put down in the boat. Another thing that it means is that whatever I use to fasten the deck to the hull (SS Screws or Rivets) would also be visible.

Option 2 would be to put down the decking and secure it and then cut one large piece of Nautolex and glue it down. This means no visible seams and no visible screws or rivets.

So what I am looking for here is some input and opinions. Which would you do? Which would you rather?

I actually like the look of the exposed screws (ala Jigngrubs resore) or the clear look with no visible fasteners. One thing, I cant see any seams in Jigngrubs deck, is that because it's a Bass boat and the seam is under the raised front deck?

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

-Mark

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

I'd do Option 1. If for no other reason than that if you ever have to replace a cut or torn bit of the Nautolex (could happen), it will be far easier to do so. Use some trim washers and I think the fasteners would look just fine.

Why 2 colors?

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

I too would take option #1, expecially since you're going to do major repairs this winter....

CW

 

[SierraMark]

Re: Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

I too would take option #1, expecially since you're going to do major repairs this winter....

CW

Actually this would be the major repair. I am leaving it as is for the summer, it doesn't look great but it is safe.

-Mark

 

[SierraMark]

Re: Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

I'd do Option 1. If for no other reason than that if you ever have to replace a cut or torn bit of the Nautolex (could happen), it will be far easier to do so. Use some trim washers and I think the fasteners would look just fine.

Why 2 colors?

I'm not positive I would go with 2 colors but as you can see my boat is currently 2 colors, I was thinking something on this idea. Like I said, I am not sure I would but I am considering it.

-Mark

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

Hello all,
I actually like the look of the exposed screws (ala Jigngrubs resore) or the clear look with no visible fasteners. One thing, I cant see any seams in Jigngrubs deck, is that because it's a Bass boat and the seam is under the raised front deck?

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

-Mark

Thanks for the compliments Mark.

There is one seam in my install (circled in red)

I "trimmed it out with two pieces of 1/20" thick 3/4" angle.

I just cut the angle to fit and installed the first piece of decking closest to the bow then pushed the second piece of decking up close and dropped the 2 angles in, pushed the second piece of deck up tight and riveted it down the riveted through the seam angles to hold them in place. It works out nice that way because the angles hide any discrepancies in a saw cut of the plywood.

I bought the angles at Home Depot.

I suggest rivets for fastening vinyled decking, screws can put a "twist" in the vinyl when the head buries into to wood and rivets have a lower head profile than a screw with a trim washer.

 

[SierraMark]

Re: Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

Thanks for the compliments Mark.

There is one seam in my install (circled in red)


I "trimmed it out with two pieces of 1/20" thick 3/4" angle.

I just cut the angle to fit and installed the first piece of decking closest to the bow then pushed the second piece of decking up close and dropped the 2 angles in, pushed the second piece of deck up tight and riveted it down the riveted through the seam angles to hold them in place. It works out nice that way because the angles hide any discrepancies in a saw cut of the plywood.

I bought the angles at Home Depot.

I suggest rivets for fastening vinyled decking, screws can put a "twist" in the vinyl when the head buries into to wood and rivets have a lower head profile than a screw with a trim washer.

jigngrub,

Thanks for chiming in here, I was hoping you would. Man that is one nice looking rig!
Thanks for the info on the trim.

Question...your boat is obviously a fishing rig where mine is a combination fishing/pleasure. I have a 13 year old boy and a 10 year old girl who are looking forward to doing some tubing and swimming. Do you think those seams would be a problem with bare feet?

One more question, the trim on the side has a curve to it. How did you do that?

thanks again,
-Mark

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Requesting Nautolex Deck Opinions - Visible SS Screws or Hidden?

jigngrub,

Thanks for chiming in here, I was hoping you would. Man that is one nice looking rig!
Thanks for the info on the trim.

Question...your boat is obviously a fishing rig where mine is a combination fishing/pleasure. I have a 13 year old boy and a 10 year old girl who are looking forward to doing some tubing and swimming. Do you think those seams would be a problem with bare feet?

One more question, the trim on the side has a curve to it. How did you do that?

thanks again,
-Mark

Seams/trim/angle are all smooth, I "dressed" them by sanding in one direction with 150 grit sandpaper to give it the brushed finish and all cuts were sanded smooth. I "brushed" it to remove/hide some scratches that were on the angles when I bought it.

The curved trim is 1/2" x 1/20 thick angle and is a bit of a fight to get in. I found the best method was to cuss it in, I started out with mild obscenities and increased the strength of them accordingly until installation was complete. By the time I finished the second piece a fly wouldn't even land on them. Just start at one end with a fastner and push the angle around to a tight fit and fasten, then push angle for a tight fit and fasten. The fasteners will end up on pretty close centers (I think mine are about 6" apart) and the loose end of the angle will want to twist and contort and do all kinds of weird stuff but just ignore that and keep cussing, pushing, and fastening and it'll get done.